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"Muktesvara temple" is a dwikuta temple and is a masterpiece portraying the style, culture and architecture of the Chalukyan era. It is considered tohave been built in the Jakkanacharyan style of Architecture. There are two entrances to the temple, one from the south and other from the east. Both entrances have beautiful porches. The door frames are decorative and classic, representing true Kalyani Chalukyan Architecture. There is also a carving of Lord Mahesvara on the main door lintels.

Muktesvara Temple

Lovely Door Frame

Lord Mahesvara on the Lintel

Decorative Carvings

Carving of Animals on the Door Frame

Door Frame of the East Entrance

There is a small Shiva Linga inside the Garbhagriha and the door frame of the Sukanasi is skillfully executed. There is a Mantapa on the front side of the east entrance . The exterior walls of the temple carry carvings of Lord Shiva in his various forms, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswathi, Lord Krishna, Lord Surya and other gods. The artistic work on the outer wall is commendable.

Sukanasi Door Frame

Lintel of Sukanasi Door Frame

Sapthamathrikas

Outer Ceiling

Inner Ceiling

Mantapa

Carvings of Dance Troupe on the Front Porch

Lord Ganesha

Intricate Carvings on Temple Walls

Empty Devakosthas

Wonderful Floral Depictions

Pattikas

Miniature Shikaras

Temple Shikara

It is definitely one amongst the well maintained temples of Karnataka. The temple remains open throughout the day irrespective of the priest's presence.

Directions from Bangalore:
Bangalore-NH4-Tumkur-Chitradurga-Davangere-Ranebennur-Right Turn
towards Guttal-Right Turn towards Choudayyadanapura (Be sure not to miss this turn as there are no sign boards indicating the same, The right turn to be taken is about 6 km before Guttal)

Distance from Bangalore: About 330 km

Places to Visit Around:Galaganatha, Kuruvatti, Haveri, Ranebennur, Devaragudda, Harihara and many more

On reaching Ranebennur cross on the NH4 highway and realizing that Caudadanapura was situated close by, we were curious to see the temple of Muktheshwara that we had read about a while ago. We inquired about this place, but there seemed to be a lot of confusion with regards to the pronunciation of the name when finally, a jeep driver came to our rescue by correcting the same, from Caudadanapura to Chaudayyadanapura. On following his directions, we reached Chaudayyadanapura / Caudadanapura, a small village situated on the banks of the river Tungabhadra of Ranebennur Taluk, Haveri District. This place gets its name from the Veerashaiva Saint and Boatman, Sharana Ambigara Chaudaiah who lived here during the 12th Century. The place is also called by various names such as Shivapura, Muktikshetra and Gope. As per our readings, a mantapa on the bank of the river Tungabhadra housed the samadhi (Gadduge) of Sharana Ambigara Chaudaiah. But, we found only a small structure on the banks which we thought to be the samadhi, though not confirmed.

Samadhi of Sharana Ambigara Chaudaiah

The temple of Mukteshwara inChaudayyadanapura was built by the Chalukyas in the12th Century. According to a legend, this place is situated at place where river Tungabhadra changes its path or direction of flow indicating the beginning of a new course, symbolizing Mukti / Salvation (Redemption). Hence, this place is called as Mukthikshetra and the deity worshiped here is Lord Mukteshwara or the God of Salvation. From our observations, it seems like our ancestors chose places close to water bodies and the summit of hills for the construction of the temples as these places were considered to be sacred.

Mukteshwara Temple Complex

There are eight main inscriptions found in this place. As per the book referred below, one of the inscriptions states that, in the year 1191, an ascetic/saint by name Muktajiyar was at this place and performed rigorous rituals to please Lord Mukthinatha. Thus, the deity here came to be known as Muktesha. It further states that the name of Lord Mukteshwara was appropriate as he was bestowing Mukti on his disciples.

Inscriptions

The temple complex consists of the main temple of Mukteshwara, the Kallideva temple, two small Shiva temples, another temple with four compartments of which two are dedicated to Lord Shiva, one for Lord Virabhadra and the other to goddess Chamundi. A Keerthistambha stands tall (about thirty feet) at the entrance of the complex. There is also a Gadduge of the saint Shivadeva inside the temple complex.

'T G Halli Reservoir' is located on the Bangalore Magadi Highway. Entry
to the dam is possible only with prior permission from Cauvery Bhavan, located
in Bangalore. Yet, there are many ways of enjoying its surroundings.This place is a heaven for bird watchers and nature lovers.

"Aghalaya" housesa magnificent Malleswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated in between Melkote and Shravana Belagola. Though we had a chance to visit this temple before, we were not allowed to see the temple at that time as there was some trouble in the village. Also, we were just beginning to learn about Hoysala temples and so we did not realize completely what we had missed. Recently, we had a second chance to explore this unique and unusual Trikuta Hoysala temple at Aghalaya and so we did.

The Malleshwara Temple, Aghalaya

Trikuta (Three Chambers)

Aghalaya means destruction of sins (Agha = Sin, Laya = Destroy). Nothing much is know about the temple's history, except that it was built by the Hoysalas during the12th Century. This temple covers a large area compared to many other Hoysala temples. It is a Trikuta temple, having three Chambers or Gribhagriha, all facing East. It is similar to the Govindanahalli temple (which is a Panchakuta temple, having five chambers). The interiors and exteriors set a good example of the Hoysala architecture. Another interesting feature was that though the outer carvings were
of Lord Vishnu, the deity worshiped in the temple was Lord Shiva.

Front Porch

Outer Ceiling

Nandi

Lord Ganesha

Mahishasura Mardini

Uma Maheshwara

Lord Shiva , Goddess Parvathi and Lord Ganesha

Decorative Work on the Pillar Top

Naga Stones and Perforated Window

Lord Vishnu's various forms and the Garuda-I

Lord Vishnu's various forms and the Garuda-II

First Three of the Dashavataras

Lord Panduranga Vittal

Art Work on the Outer Wall

Renovated portion v/s Original

Like many other temples around this region, this temple was renovated by the Govt of Karnataka with the help of the Dharmasthala Trust. The priest here was a very gentle and kind person.

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